Hosting kids party today with social anxiety!

[ChristmasGrinch24]

My ds9 begged me for a party this year, I've never been keen on them as I have bad social anxiety. I go all quiet in big groups of people and never know what to say I also have autism so that doesn't help.

But for ds sake I agreed, every child should experience having their own party if they want one.
I booked the local soft play for about 14 kids for this afternoon, but now I've woken up feeling very nervous! I've only spoken to a handful of the parents as my ds does clubs so I'm very much dash & go from school.
At parties I've taken him too I usually sit in the background quietly lol.

Any ideas how to keep my nerves under wraps? All the parents will be sitting together while the kids go off & play. I don't think I can make small talk for two hours.
Anyone else like me? Any advice? I didn't think this through 😂

Hey, you'll be fine!
Lots of other people get nervous talking to people they don't know. Kids' parties are easy - just get a couple of small talk starters ready in your head.
"Good to see you! How's it going?"
"Billy is so excited for Jimmy to be here!"
Or whatever. Remember, this is for your DS, and he'll have a great time and be a big sweaty mess by the end!

Take another adult with you to host the other adults.

When you make small talk when the other person is talking make it seem like they are the most interesting person in the room

"Looking forward to Christmas?"

Don't try to trump people
If they say I haven't even started buying presents yet
You say yeah I have no idea what to get DS he's only just having a birthday, even if you are all wrapped and done.

If there is a school Christmas play coming up, say l love the school nativity it really starts to feel like Christmas after that

Box breathe
Relax

It's not important OP.

And you have to do it. As Newt said in Fantastic Beasts I find if you worry you only suffer twice.

Hosting a party is in some ways easier, although at 9yo, you may find parents don't stay.

Greet people: "Nice to see you, thank you for coming. Thank you for the present, please put it here..." (take a bag/box to put presents in)
Make sure you have drinks for the children. Get a couple of jugs of squash, the venue may well do them. Bring disposable cups if the venue doesn't do them and a permanent marker to write their names on - and make sure you have a few spare.
If parents stay, then you can leave them by the drinks and chat - and pop off "to check something" if you're feeling awkward. Or take the bag of presents to the car, or fetch the cake/remember the napkins are in the car etc.
If parents don't stay, stay by the drinks, and serve them when children come panting up. You don't need to say much "having fun?"
You might get a few whinges "x won't play" or similar. Hopefully not. Just reiterate that they need to "be nice", and note which ones not to invite next year 😁

At the end get your dc to hand out party bags, or if they don't want to, stand by door and give them out. "Thank you for coming. Hope you enjoyed it."
I normally named party bags clearly, and had a couple of spare ones hidden just in case something got forgotten, or a sibling turned up and was polite (!). It also gives you a minute to look down, remind yourself of their name (I'm dreadful on forgetting names) and search for the bag.

Afterwards collapse in a heap and remind yourself that it's only once a year and next year you'll take only one friend to the zoo (or something) 😂